TCM care for digestive disorders (IBS, gastritis, constipation)

About this therapy

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) care for digestive disorders offers a holistic approach for foreigners with chronic issues like IBS, gastritis, functional dyspepsia, constipation or ulcerative colitis, often triggered by travel, diet changes or stress. TCM views the spleen and stomach as governing digestion, qi transformation and fluid metabolism. Personalized herbal formulas, acupuncture, moxibustion and dietary therapy address imbalances such as spleen deficiency or qi stagnation to strengthen digestion and restore balance with minimal side effects. Available in leading Beijing TCM hospitals combining ancient pattern differentiation with modern diagnostics like endoscopy.

How it works

TCM theory holds that spleen-stomach disharmony disrupts digestion, qi movement and dampness metabolism, leading to the listed conditions. Diagnosis uses four examinations to identify patterns. Herbal formulas tonify spleen qi, soothe liver or clear heat/damp. Acupuncture at points such as ST36 modulates gut motility. Moxibustion and dietary therapy provide adjunctive effects. Treatments integrate with Western diagnostics in key hospitals.

What to expect

A typical visit begins with detailed TCM consultation including tongue and pulse examination, followed by acupuncture with needles retained 20-30 minutes, herbal prescription and adjuncts like moxibustion if indicated. Sessions last 30-60 minutes with minimal discomfort for most. Effects may include gradual reduction in pain and bloating and improved stool consistency. For chronic conditions, foreigners typically arrange 1-3 weeks in Beijing for assessment, treatment and education before returning home with formulas or follow-up plans. Response varies by individual.

Typical programme

Sessions arranged individually based on patient needs.

Cautions

• Not for acute abdomen, perforation, bleeding or conditions requiring emergency surgery.
• Herb-drug interactions possible; disclose all medications and allergies to physicians.
• Acupuncture contraindicated or cautious in bleeding disorders, severe skin infections or certain pregnancy stages.
• Individual constitution varies; treatments must be under licensed TCM doctors in accredited hospitals.
• Diet and lifestyle adherence critical; inconsistent habits may limit efficacy.
• Evidence for some conditions is moderate/low quality per Cochrane/systematic reviews; results not guaranteed.

Often used for

• Chronic GastritisModerate evidence from multiple RCTs supports TCM for symptom improvement in chronic gastritis.
• Functional DyspepsiaRCTs and meta-analyses demonstrate TCM formulas relieve functional dyspepsia symptoms.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Cochrane review shows moderate to low quality evidence for CHM and moxibustion improving IBS symptoms.
• Chronic ConstipationSystematic reviews support symptom improvement with variable evidence quality for TCM in chronic constipation.
• Ulcerative ColitisNetwork meta-analysis ranks moxibustion highly for symptom relief in ulcerative colitis with WM.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)RCTs on TCM formulas show symptom control for GERD in hospital-led research.
• Abdominal Distension and PainMeta-analyses indicate benefits of acupuncture and CHM for abdominal distension and pain (variable quality).
• Functional DiarrheaDepartmental clinical data and reviews support spleen-tonifying TCM for functional diarrhea.